🔗 Share this article

A key narrative of the Premier League this campaign has been the decline of scoring in open-play scenarios and the way teams are netting more from set-plays as an alternative.

When we compare goal sources to the initial 11 matches the prior season, we note a drop of 39 goals in open play and 26 more from set-plays and spot-kicks, resulting in 13 fewer altogether.

If we look at overall statistics, the number of shots clubs are making reveal an incredible drop of 370 in open-play than this time previously.

Regardless of the notable jump in set-play finishes, we've actually seen only two additional attempts generated from these situations excluding penalties, showing the efficiency teams are at finding ways to score from dead-ball chances.

Goal Averages Reveal an Interesting Narrative

301 total goals notched in 110 games to date works out at nearly 2.75 goals per game, if this persists for all 38 games might be the lowest for half a decade, back in 2020-21 (2.69 per game).

But just under 200 goals scored in open-play translates to 1.78 per game and is tracking to be the smallest for 16 years, back in 2009-10 (1.76).

2009-10 is also the sole English top-flight season to experience scoring more often from dead-balls without spot-kicks than the current rate of 0.77 per game (0.79).

Which Sides Bear the Most Responsibility?

Regarding goals scored from open play, Wolves have experienced by far the biggest decrease, scoring a mere four in their first 11 fixtures, 10 fewer than at this stage last season.

Apart from Wolverhampton, the EPL's decline in open-play scoring is very much a London phenomenon, with half of the capital's seven sides scoring a minimum of five goals fewer from open play than the prior season.

To be fair, this is primarily due to their scoring numerous scores at the beginning of the previous campaign instead of them having difficulty to score in open play this campaign.

Conversely Manchester City have experienced the biggest increase, with nearly all of their 23 goals to date originating in open play.

Set-Piece Success

Comparing clubs that came up with the relegated sides they took the place of. Play-off champions the Black Cats have recorded an additional three scores in open play than the Saints achieved in their first 11 games leading to relegation the previous campaign.

When it comes to scoring from dead-ball situations (not counting spot-kicks), Arsenal and the Blues have seen the largest rise, with the two clubs compensating for the reduction of five goals that they've netted in open play with identical figures from dead-ball situations.

United have netted double the number goals from set-plays as they did in the first 11 matches the previous campaign prior to the manager took charge, while the Black Cats again are more successful at netting than the similar-colored team that went down.

Man City seem unaware of the message about netting additional goals from set-pieces, since they've scored a reduction of three than the previous campaign, similar to the Reds, even if this may result from the altered approach they have tried to implement.

Overall Patterns

Six teams – Arsenal, Chelsea, the Cottagers, Newcastle, Spurs and West Ham – represent this season's leading trend-followers by recording fewer goals from open play and more from set-pieces, while City are the sole team to buck the trend to date by performing the complete reverse.

It will be fascinating to see if teams carry on to place such emphasis on set-pieces as matches continue or if they rediscover their general attacking flair and begin netting additional scores in open play also.